On top of that, MS has bet the farm with Metro as it’s on the desktop, tablet and phone. There’s no way it’s going to disappear in Windows 9, especially since they’re trying to shift Windows developers into targeting it (because they need tablet and phone apps). There’s zero indication that the interface will be any better in Win9; nothing even changed with the feedback from the first Win8 preview release. They’re wedded to this, even willing to lose an enterprise upgrade cycle.

Finally, why should one take a three year old operating system and let it age at least another three years when they could have something today that’s state of the art? That’s a better proposition than keeping one’s 2009 OS to 2015 in the hope that the next version will be better.

]]>By: jgmhttp://www.slashgear.com/windows-8-final-build-leaks-instantly-should-we-have-simply-expected-it-03241551/#comment-229289
Mon, 06 Aug 2012 20:01:00 +0000http://www.slashgear.com/?p=241551#comment-229289>Something new you get for free (apps/start screen) on top of what you
>know (desktop)? Outrageous!

Yeah, it is. It isn’t something new and you’re not getting it for free. It’s the Windows Phone interface and you’re paying for it (in many ways). No one suddenly woke and realized that touch interfaces work wonderfully on non-touch devices and the whole world just failed to notice before Windows 8. Metro on the desktop is Microsoft’s way of forcing users to learn the Windows Phone UI in the hope that they’ll then want to buy it on tablets and phones. Even the Windows Phone VP said in a conference call “Soon the Metro UI will be the most familiar UI in the world – and that’s great for the phone business!”. MS is throwing desktop users under the bus in the belief that 1) we’re in a post-PC world, and 2) they’re still a monopoly and they can just do anything they want and vendor lock-in will guarantee everyone goes along with it. And you’re cheering this on why?

And why would you want one UI “on top of” another UI? It’s a bolted-on, schizophrenic experience that jumps you from one UI to another (I’ve seen one telling dual monitor screenshot that has the desktop running on one monitor and Metro popping up on the other, which says it all).

>Let’s keep it all like we know it for crying
out loud!

If it ain’t broke… Who was out there screaming “I want my desktop to have two different interfaces, one not suited for the desktop, and I want to OS to keep throwing me out of one and into the other?” A touch UI is fine… if MS made a separate touch OS like Apple has iOS and OS X. No one asked for an unholy hybrid.

>No more innovation!

MS has never been a source of innovation. Even the Vanity Fair article revealed that Ballmer’s philosophy was that MS would never be the first with something cool, but would be the first to make money from it (which means leveraging the Windows monopoly cash to buy their way into the market). When they did get innovation – created the e-book reader years before anyone else – Gates squashed it because it didn’t run the Windows interface! (MS either wants non-touch on touch or vice versa; crazy). The division that created it was then essentially disbanded. The same thing happened with the awesome Courier Tablet concept – political infighting killed it because it wouldn’t run the full Windows interface/apps and then some of the people involved got reshuffled or left the company. Metro is not innovation – it’s leveraging one monopoly in a desperate attempt to gain a foothold in another market.

>At least apple did not change a single
thing for the last 10 years, that >is nice.

Apple OS X is more similar to Windows 7 right now than Windows 8 is similar to Windows 7.

> Even my father now likes the
formerly slick design.

Tech writer Chris Perillo gave his father the UI test among OS X/Metro/Ubuntu’s Unity and his father’s comment on using Metro was “Microsoft, what are you trying to make me do – buy a Mac?” Linux Format magazine also assembled users from among the various OSes and Windows 8 fared by far the worst in ability of users to jump in and use it. In fact, even Windows Phone users had no advantage because while they understood the UI they didn’t know how to operate it with a keyboard and mouse. Users from all three OSes were “floored” by their ability to jump right in and use the Linux KDE desktop (very similar to traditional Windows 7 desktop).

>Now that I think of it – I will do
the same… you clown!

Right… because you want to stick with the monopoly and keep it running, right? Because that’s the best thing for consumers, right? Because it’s the default OS and you’d rather change your habits and convince yourself that the Emperor isn’t naked and Metro is actually designed for the desktop rather than cut and pasted from Windows Phone, right?

I’m (sort of) with ultraspinacle. I’ve used Microsoft OSes since my first summer job installing MS DOS on IBM PC XTs but I evaluated my options two years ago when I needed to do a new install one way or the other and went with Linux and the KDE desktop rather than Windows 7. After seeing the Metro UI and learning about the locked-down app store shortly thereafter, I realized that I left at just the right time and made my switch official a year ago by deleting my Windows partition. I’m more convinced than ever I made the right choice and couldn’t be happier. I not only went from XP to an OS that gave me every single feature listed on MS’ Windows 7 new feature page except “jump lists”, I also gained all of the *good* features of Windows 8, from pausing file copies and mounting ISOs to a copy-on-write file system and running the OS from a flash drive. I also gained all of these features two years early and for free (plus a lot more besides that still aren’t in Windows).

]]>By: Reeseshttp://www.slashgear.com/windows-8-final-build-leaks-instantly-should-we-have-simply-expected-it-03241551/#comment-228868
Sat, 04 Aug 2012 05:34:00 +0000http://www.slashgear.com/?p=241551#comment-228868Was it too hard for you to just stay with 7 and wait till 9?
]]>By: Johnny Craighttp://www.slashgear.com/windows-8-final-build-leaks-instantly-should-we-have-simply-expected-it-03241551/#comment-228772
Fri, 03 Aug 2012 21:06:00 +0000http://www.slashgear.com/?p=241551#comment-228772it would be much better if i could make my desktop the metro screen. its a real pain when i just want to do something simple like open up the calculator to add some prices up on a website. its also a bit weird with dual monitors.
]]>By: AmiRamihttp://www.slashgear.com/windows-8-final-build-leaks-instantly-should-we-have-simply-expected-it-03241551/#comment-228731
Fri, 03 Aug 2012 18:40:00 +0000http://www.slashgear.com/?p=241551#comment-228731I’m still holding out hope that the RTM and final release versions will resolve the issue.
]]>By: Will Chellamhttp://www.slashgear.com/windows-8-final-build-leaks-instantly-should-we-have-simply-expected-it-03241551/#comment-228730
Fri, 03 Aug 2012 18:38:00 +0000http://www.slashgear.com/?p=241551#comment-228730I also have hibernation / sleep problems – the hybrid driver hibernation means that it cold boots on 5-year old hardware in less than 8 seconds (Thinkpad x60s) but i do get some occasional corruption and devices not waking up (notably the fingerprint reader and trackpoint) that have to be restarted manually.

The double-edged sword of making a modern OS run otherwise exceptionally on (comparatively) ancient hardware.

]]>By: AmiRamihttp://www.slashgear.com/windows-8-final-build-leaks-instantly-should-we-have-simply-expected-it-03241551/#comment-228684
Fri, 03 Aug 2012 16:51:00 +0000http://www.slashgear.com/?p=241551#comment-228684to each their own I guess. I personally love it but i do recognize that Windows 8 is very polarizing.
]]>By: AmiRamihttp://www.slashgear.com/windows-8-final-build-leaks-instantly-should-we-have-simply-expected-it-03241551/#comment-228682
Fri, 03 Aug 2012 16:50:00 +0000http://www.slashgear.com/?p=241551#comment-228682Not to mention the MarketPlace and subsequent Metro (or whatever they are calling it now) apps will prob be blocked.
]]>By: AmiRamihttp://www.slashgear.com/windows-8-final-build-leaks-instantly-should-we-have-simply-expected-it-03241551/#comment-228681
Fri, 03 Aug 2012 16:49:00 +0000http://www.slashgear.com/?p=241551#comment-228681I’ve been using it for a while now and I love it as well. its stupid fast and very intuitive and easy to learn. And browsing the web and apps, files, etc is so much improved. My only problem with the current BETA is that they damned thing won’t wake from sleep!
]]>By: AmiRamihttp://www.slashgear.com/windows-8-final-build-leaks-instantly-should-we-have-simply-expected-it-03241551/#comment-228680
Fri, 03 Aug 2012 16:48:00 +0000http://www.slashgear.com/?p=241551#comment-228680i wouldn’t try with Windows 8 being torrented. Unlike previous versions of Windows, MS is going to have a very huge amount of control over this OS and its inevitable piracy. They control the doors to the Marketplace for example, where all the new apps will be, and if you aren’t on a registered copy they will most likely block you at the door. of course thats just speculation on my part.
]]>By: Johnniehttp://www.slashgear.com/windows-8-final-build-leaks-instantly-should-we-have-simply-expected-it-03241551/#comment-228581
Fri, 03 Aug 2012 14:02:00 +0000http://www.slashgear.com/?p=241551#comment-228581meh… with their upgrade price being so cheap (for once) I’m betting it doesn’t affect them any more than usual. I’m certainly planning on buying the upgrades this time around, now that it’s not going to cost a significant fraction of a new computer.
]]>By: Whateverhttp://www.slashgear.com/windows-8-final-build-leaks-instantly-should-we-have-simply-expected-it-03241551/#comment-228536
Fri, 03 Aug 2012 09:58:00 +0000http://www.slashgear.com/?p=241551#comment-228536And WHY would ANYONE even listen to your opinion ?
]]>By: Xmanhttp://www.slashgear.com/windows-8-final-build-leaks-instantly-should-we-have-simply-expected-it-03241551/#comment-228527
Fri, 03 Aug 2012 09:20:00 +0000http://www.slashgear.com/?p=241551#comment-228527I have actually been using Windows 8 for several months. At first it is a shocker; then you love it. You can do everything as you always have. You don’t have to use the Metro interface but it is there if needed as an extra. Power users – right click on the start charm in the bottom left corner. Simply add or pin programs to the start or task bar. Windows 8 supports the fastest file speeds I have seen in Windows. I will wait for the official version – upgrade for 39.99. This is a smart move on Microsoft’s end to thwart piracy. Why hack if you can have the
legitimate software for a minimal cost. After using Windows 8 it is hard to go back to windows 7 believe it or not.
]]>By: righthttp://www.slashgear.com/windows-8-final-build-leaks-instantly-should-we-have-simply-expected-it-03241551/#comment-228526
Fri, 03 Aug 2012 09:13:00 +0000http://www.slashgear.com/?p=241551#comment-228526Yeah, that makes a lot of sense. What is it with company’s these days? Something new you get for free (apps/start screen) on top of what you know (desktop)? Outrageous! Let’s keep it all like we know it for crying out loud! No more innovation! At least apple did not change a single thing for the last 10 years, that is nice. Even my father now likes the formerly slick design. Mainstream… bliss! Nothing new on WWDC – fantastic, I feel right at home here. Now that I think of it – I will do the same… you clown!
]]>By: Dave Ron Blanehttp://www.slashgear.com/windows-8-final-build-leaks-instantly-should-we-have-simply-expected-it-03241551/#comment-228524
Fri, 03 Aug 2012 09:03:00 +0000http://www.slashgear.com/?p=241551#comment-228524And WHY would ANYONE want to steal (or buy) a copy of this crap?
]]>By: littl_hitihttp://www.slashgear.com/windows-8-final-build-leaks-instantly-should-we-have-simply-expected-it-03241551/#comment-228521
Fri, 03 Aug 2012 08:44:00 +0000http://www.slashgear.com/?p=241551#comment-228521Highly doubt its not a microsoft authored leak, to gauge the level of interest or condemnation before taking the leap. I still don’t understand why Ballmer still has a job. outlook.com was amusing …the same s###ty hotmail with an new name.
]]>By: ultraspinaclehttp://www.slashgear.com/windows-8-final-build-leaks-instantly-should-we-have-simply-expected-it-03241551/#comment-228519
Fri, 03 Aug 2012 08:38:00 +0000http://www.slashgear.com/?p=241551#comment-228519Sorry, after evaluating Win8 as a 20 year Windows user I switched to Mac. I haven’t been entirely comfortable with the change, but it’s better than having to deal with a schizophrenic version of Windows. Just a choice.
]]>By: JD Westhttp://www.slashgear.com/windows-8-final-build-leaks-instantly-should-we-have-simply-expected-it-03241551/#comment-228518
Fri, 03 Aug 2012 08:35:00 +0000http://www.slashgear.com/?p=241551#comment-228518Of course it is to be expected. When I worked for MS the leaks were almost automatic. All of the Blue Badges had access to Alpha/Beta/and RC’s to help test internally. Even if it was not the company’s position to leak Beta’s it would happen eventually because they trust their employees… (Too Much)
]]>By: Strobeffecthttp://www.slashgear.com/windows-8-final-build-leaks-instantly-should-we-have-simply-expected-it-03241551/#comment-228511
Fri, 03 Aug 2012 08:20:00 +0000http://www.slashgear.com/?p=241551#comment-228511Who cares, it’s not going to change anything! Only a small percentage of touch centric people flipping through porn thumbnails would download this crud OS, while 99% wait for Windows 9 to go back to being a $#%ing productive OS.
]]>By: nithin532http://www.slashgear.com/windows-8-final-build-leaks-instantly-should-we-have-simply-expected-it-03241551/#comment-228505
Fri, 03 Aug 2012 07:36:00 +0000http://www.slashgear.com/?p=241551#comment-228505but what about those who use pirated OS with a premium Antivirus solution thats still works out ?
]]>By: Graham Fluethttp://www.slashgear.com/windows-8-final-build-leaks-instantly-should-we-have-simply-expected-it-03241551/#comment-228495
Fri, 03 Aug 2012 06:54:00 +0000http://www.slashgear.com/?p=241551#comment-228495Technically it doesn’t matter, as you still need a valid activation key, and last I checked Windows 8 rejiggered things so you can’t even INSTALL without a valid key. Feel free to prove me wrong though.
]]>